8 Out of 10 Cats
10x08 Science Special
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Dragons' Den
What Happened Next 3 James Caan
It's been nearly a month since I last watched this. Crikey. (I know that's not that interesting, but... surprised, I am.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
How I Met Your Mother
5x22 Robots Vs. Wrestlers
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
TV
Law & Order: UK
3x06 Masquerade
L&O:UK just got recommissioned for another run of 13 episodes... which, thanks to the way they broadcast them, means series 5 & 6.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
4x06 Waldorf Stories
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
9x12 (14/10/10 edition) [season finale]
Season-ending highlights/outtakes. Always surprisingly good.
(Skipped the last proper episode thanks to the frequently-useless people who control what goes up on Virgin Media's version of iPlayer. Fortunately, I've downloaded it from the online iPlayer for viewing at some point.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
3x06 Masquerade
L&O:UK just got recommissioned for another run of 13 episodes... which, thanks to the way they broadcast them, means series 5 & 6.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Mad Men
4x06 Waldorf Stories
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Mock the Week
9x12 (14/10/10 edition) [season finale]
Season-ending highlights/outtakes. Always surprisingly good.
(Skipped the last proper episode thanks to the frequently-useless people who control what goes up on Virgin Media's version of iPlayer. Fortunately, I've downloaded it from the online iPlayer for viewing at some point.)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
TV
Due South
1x01 Pilot Part 2 [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x02 Selfish
I somehow failed to note when I watched episode one of this season, which is a rather surprising oversight (I've now dropped it in somewhere that seems vaguely plausible). I thought I'd not made my comment on how they've finally changed the title sequence, something they've needed to do for years (ever since he took on a new team). Amusingly, they've done it in the cheapest way possible, dropping in new shots for the new cast names.
Whites
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x01 Pilot Part 2 [2nd watch]
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
House
7x02 Selfish
I somehow failed to note when I watched episode one of this season, which is a rather surprising oversight (I've now dropped it in somewhere that seems vaguely plausible). I thought I'd not made my comment on how they've finally changed the title sequence, something they've needed to do for years (ever since he took on a new team). Amusingly, they've done it in the cheapest way possible, dropping in new shots for the new cast names.
Whites
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Monday, 18 October 2010
TV
Due South
1x01 Pilot Part 1 [2nd watch]
I used to love Due South when it first aired -- about 15 years ago now! It's always worrying revisiting something you once loved after so long. While it undeniably looks dated now, it's still good fun, and I'm sure will improve once it settles down into the series proper. BBC Two are repeating it weekdays at 1pm (though it seems to be constantly pre-empted by stuff this week), and making it available on iPlayer too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss
Part 1 Frankenstein Goes to Hollywood
This has come under fire from some for not being a particularly complete history. Did they not actually watch it? Gatiss sets out his stall early on: this series both covers three specific eras of horror and is based around his personal predilections. However much the whole of horror cinema may owe to something like Nosferatu, it was a more-or-less isolated example, not part of a significant Horror movement. Besides which, the clue's in the title: it's A History of Horror, not The History of Horror. And, actually, a bloody good programme it was too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sarah Jane's Alien Files
1x01 Episode 1
I'm not certain to what degree this can be classed as "pointless". Essentially, it's a glorified way of recapping previous Sarah Jane Adventures stories: new scenes show Sarah Jane and Mr Smith creating a database of aliens, entering details they learnt from previous encounters. In practice, this mostly means a lightweight fact file and a couple of plot recaps. It's not even very thorough though: this edition covered the Trickster, an enemy Sarah Jane as encountered thrice (so far), but they only covered two stories. I fear my completist nature will see me watch the rest of the series, but I really shouldn't bother.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
9x04 Episode 4
"Should we discuss the illegal act of breaking into another country's embassy?" "Debate? What? No, just do it! Action action action!"
Oh Spooks, you used to be so good...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Story of England
Part 3 The Great Famine & The Black Death
Cheery.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x01 Pilot Part 1 [2nd watch]
I used to love Due South when it first aired -- about 15 years ago now! It's always worrying revisiting something you once loved after so long. While it undeniably looks dated now, it's still good fun, and I'm sure will improve once it settles down into the series proper. BBC Two are repeating it weekdays at 1pm (though it seems to be constantly pre-empted by stuff this week), and making it available on iPlayer too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss
Part 1 Frankenstein Goes to Hollywood
This has come under fire from some for not being a particularly complete history. Did they not actually watch it? Gatiss sets out his stall early on: this series both covers three specific eras of horror and is based around his personal predilections. However much the whole of horror cinema may owe to something like Nosferatu, it was a more-or-less isolated example, not part of a significant Horror movement. Besides which, the clue's in the title: it's A History of Horror, not The History of Horror. And, actually, a bloody good programme it was too.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sarah Jane's Alien Files
1x01 Episode 1
I'm not certain to what degree this can be classed as "pointless". Essentially, it's a glorified way of recapping previous Sarah Jane Adventures stories: new scenes show Sarah Jane and Mr Smith creating a database of aliens, entering details they learnt from previous encounters. In practice, this mostly means a lightweight fact file and a couple of plot recaps. It's not even very thorough though: this edition covered the Trickster, an enemy Sarah Jane as encountered thrice (so far), but they only covered two stories. I fear my completist nature will see me watch the rest of the series, but I really shouldn't bother.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Spooks
9x04 Episode 4
"Should we discuss the illegal act of breaking into another country's embassy?" "Debate? What? No, just do it! Action action action!"
Oh Spooks, you used to be so good...
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Story of England
Part 3 The Great Famine & The Black Death
Cheery.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
Snyder explains Sucker Punch 3D axe by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
First Harry Potter 7 Part 1 drops its 3D, now Sucker Punch... The Hobbit next, please?
Steven Moffat teases Sherlock series two by Tara Fowler
(from Digital Spy)
(from Digital Spy)
First Harry Potter 7 Part 1 drops its 3D, now Sucker Punch... The Hobbit next, please?
Steven Moffat teases Sherlock series two by Tara Fowler
(from Digital Spy)
"The critical words, I’d say, would be - Adler, Hound, Reichenbach," declared Moffat.I can't think of three other words Mr Moffat could have chosen that would've gotten me more excited. Can't wait.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
TV
Downton Abbey
1x04 Episode Four
Maggie Smith is beyond excellent.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Film 2010 with Claudia Winkleman
Episode 1 (13/10/10 edition)
So Film... is back, with its new host and its new team (or family, or multiplex, or whatever name they settle on). Personally, I rather liked it. Claudia Winkleman did a bang up job, devoid of her usual irritating presenting style, and having two critics (OK OK, one critic and one presenter/fan, but still) chatting rather than a straight review-to-camera was like the highly successful US At the Movies (aka Siskel & Ebert / Ebert & Roeper). Indeed, in many ways this format is superior to having just a sole critic.
As for the team... neat idea, though that Antonia immediately rubbed me up the wrong way. Don't think I'll get on with her opinions. The "8 year old blogger", on the other hand, seems a complete idiot. His Top 5 list was pathetic, his "I only like films that are about two years old, and that's OK" attitude was idiotic, and even the hosts were taking the mick out of him. He should be dispensed with forthwith.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x05 H Animals (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 Episode Four
Maggie Smith is beyond excellent.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Film 2010 with Claudia Winkleman
Episode 1 (13/10/10 edition)
So Film... is back, with its new host and its new team (or family, or multiplex, or whatever name they settle on). Personally, I rather liked it. Claudia Winkleman did a bang up job, devoid of her usual irritating presenting style, and having two critics (OK OK, one critic and one presenter/fan, but still) chatting rather than a straight review-to-camera was like the highly successful US At the Movies (aka Siskel & Ebert / Ebert & Roeper). Indeed, in many ways this format is superior to having just a sole critic.
As for the team... neat idea, though that Antonia immediately rubbed me up the wrong way. Don't think I'll get on with her opinions. The "8 year old blogger", on the other hand, seems a complete idiot. His Top 5 list was pathetic, his "I only like films that are about two years old, and that's OK" attitude was idiotic, and even the hosts were taking the mick out of him. He should be dispensed with forthwith.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
QI
8x05 H Animals (extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Films
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
[#106 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
[#107 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
[#106 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
[#107 in 100 Films in a Year 2010]
Articles
McIntyre's Roadshow pips Piers chatshow by Paul Millar
(from Digital Spy)
Piers Morgan's ratings down! X Factor's ratings down! Strictly beat X Factor during the time they were head to head!
If it weren't for the fact that, at its peak last night, 49% of the viewing public were watching X Factor, I'd be a little proud.
Why I'm calling time on Screen Burn by Charlie Brooker
(from guardian.co.uk)
The always-grumpy, always-funny Charlie Brooker is stopping his Screen Burn column after 11 years. This seemed to cause a minor storm across twitter... evidently from people who missed the sentence where Brooker clearly says, "I'll be back later in the year with a new column, right here in these pages."
(from Digital Spy)
Piers Morgan's ratings down! X Factor's ratings down! Strictly beat X Factor during the time they were head to head!
If it weren't for the fact that, at its peak last night, 49% of the viewing public were watching X Factor, I'd be a little proud.
Why I'm calling time on Screen Burn by Charlie Brooker
(from guardian.co.uk)
The always-grumpy, always-funny Charlie Brooker is stopping his Screen Burn column after 11 years. This seemed to cause a minor storm across twitter... evidently from people who missed the sentence where Brooker clearly says, "I'll be back later in the year with a new column, right here in these pages."
this week on 100 Films
3 new reviews were posted to 100 Films in a Year this week, and they were...
The Damned United (2009)
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Film4 are showing the two Star Trek films tonight, at 6:40pm and 9pm respectively. They're preceded by the first Next Generation film, Star Trek: Generations, at 4:20pm, and followed by the crew's final film, Star Trek: Nemesis, at 11:05pm.
More next Sunday.
The Damned United (2009)
I have no love for football. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’m not even entirely sure why I wound up watching this, to be honest. But I’m glad I did, because, even though it’s technically about football, The Damned United is a little bit brilliant. For one thing, it’s not actually about football, not really.
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
widely regarded as not just in the film series’ upper half, but as one of the best episodes the entire franchise has produced... It gets off to a flying start. The first 20 or 30 minutes in particular move at a rate of knots, churning through plot in a way no blockbuster would seem to dare these days. [There's none of] Trek’s renowned “sit around and consider what to do” talkiness.
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Rather than the broadly action-adventure style of other big contemporary sci-fi movies, this concerns a minor dispute over a survey mission to a single planet. Yawn, right? Actually, this is when Insurrection is at its best... the political wrangling kept me engaged. But then it begins an attempt to be all Exciting, at which point it begins to get dull, degenerating into a stock runaround and shoot-out
Film4 are showing the two Star Trek films tonight, at 6:40pm and 9pm respectively. They're preceded by the first Next Generation film, Star Trek: Generations, at 4:20pm, and followed by the crew's final film, Star Trek: Nemesis, at 11:05pm.
More next Sunday.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
TV
Have I Got News For You
40x01 (14/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
As always, hooray for the return of HIGNFY! It should be on more often. And Benedict Cumberbatch made for a (surprisingly, I must say) excellent host.
Though, as a regular twitterer, and someone still in the 16-24 age demographic, I must express my dubiousness about them flashing up their hashtag unexplained at the start of the show. Weird.
[Watch the regular edition (again) on iPlayer. The extended repeat may or may not be available here later.]
Merlin
3x05 The Crystal Cave
3x06 The Changeling
A strong, darkly-themed episode followed by a lighter, sillier one. Such is Merlin's balance.
[Watch The Crystal Cave and The Changeling (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Jane Adventures
4x01 The Nightmare Man Part One
4x02 The Nightmare Man Part Two
A strong return for the excellent children's Doctor Who spin-off, which I'm sure is far better than most kids' TV. Not surprised that Luke's been (semi-)written out of the series here though -- the actor has previously commented that he didn't really consider acting his career, and by now he must be reaching A-level/Uni age himself. Also a convenient way of getting rid of K9, who's only allowed to appear in so many episodes a year. But will they have a Luke-replacement, I wonder? Time will tell...
[Watch parts one and two, or a compilation of both, on iPlayer.]
40x01 (14/10/10 edition; extended repeat)
As always, hooray for the return of HIGNFY! It should be on more often. And Benedict Cumberbatch made for a (surprisingly, I must say) excellent host.
Though, as a regular twitterer, and someone still in the 16-24 age demographic, I must express my dubiousness about them flashing up their hashtag unexplained at the start of the show. Weird.
[Watch the regular edition (again) on iPlayer. The extended repeat may or may not be available here later.]
Merlin
3x05 The Crystal Cave
3x06 The Changeling
A strong, darkly-themed episode followed by a lighter, sillier one. Such is Merlin's balance.
[Watch The Crystal Cave and The Changeling (again) on iPlayer.]
The Sarah Jane Adventures
4x01 The Nightmare Man Part One
4x02 The Nightmare Man Part Two
A strong return for the excellent children's Doctor Who spin-off, which I'm sure is far better than most kids' TV. Not surprised that Luke's been (semi-)written out of the series here though -- the actor has previously commented that he didn't really consider acting his career, and by now he must be reaching A-level/Uni age himself. Also a convenient way of getting rid of K9, who's only allowed to appear in so many episodes a year. But will they have a Luke-replacement, I wonder? Time will tell...
[Watch parts one and two, or a compilation of both, on iPlayer.]
Friday, 15 October 2010
TV
8 Out of 10 Cats
10x07 Scary Special
Someone should've told Channel 4 it wasn't Halloween for another three weeks...
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Gadget Show
14x10 Episode 10
Just the bit on 3DTV. It was... basic...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Mentalist
3x01 Red Sky at Night
Hooray for Five finally showing this not too far behind the US (only three weeks; their previous best was two months). Shame the producers wasted this pair of titles on something that was distinctly not a two-parter though.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x04 (8/10/10 edition)
I'm not deliberating only watching even-numbered episodes, it's just worked out that way because... oh, you don't care why. But it's good series, you should watch it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
10x07 Scary Special
Someone should've told Channel 4 it wasn't Halloween for another three weeks...
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
The Gadget Show
14x10 Episode 10
Just the bit on 3DTV. It was... basic...
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Mentalist
3x01 Red Sky at Night
Hooray for Five finally showing this not too far behind the US (only three weeks; their previous best was two months). Shame the producers wasted this pair of titles on something that was distinctly not a two-parter though.
[Watch it (again) on Demand Five.]
The Rob Brydon Show
1x04 (8/10/10 edition)
I'm not deliberating only watching even-numbered episodes, it's just worked out that way because... oh, you don't care why. But it's good series, you should watch it.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
A couple of new titles this week. Not much worthy of particular note, then. Other than landing on precisely 3,000 discs, which is both a milestone and a lovely round number. Not that it'll stop me from buying more.
Number of titles in collection: 1,224 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 122 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,000 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,293 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,220 [down 1]
Statistic of the week:
Number of weeks Collection Count has been running:
51
Yep, I know what you're thinking -- "51? But that's just one short of a year!" And you're right, it is. And next week, something of a celebration of the first anniversary.
See you then, faithful reader.
A couple of new titles this week. Not much worthy of particular note, then. Other than landing on precisely 3,000 discs, which is both a milestone and a lovely round number. Not that it'll stop me from buying more.
Number of titles in collection: 1,224 [up 3]
Of which DVDs: 1,102 [up 2]
Of which Blu-rays: 122 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,000 [up 4]
Number of films in collection: 1,293 [up 3]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,220 [down 1]
Statistic of the week:
Number of weeks Collection Count has been running:
51
Yep, I know what you're thinking -- "51? But that's just one short of a year!" And you're right, it is. And next week, something of a celebration of the first anniversary.
See you then, faithful reader.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
TV
Argumental
3x09 (12/10/10 edition)
How I Met Your Mother
5x21 Twin Beds
Tonight's episode! What is the world coming to?!
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
3x05 Survivor
Last week's episode. That's more like it.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
3x09 (12/10/10 edition)
How I Met Your Mother
5x21 Twin Beds
Tonight's episode! What is the world coming to?!
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Law & Order: UK
3x05 Survivor
Last week's episode. That's more like it.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
TV
Ask Rhod Gilbert
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
4x05 The Chrysanthemum and the Sword
Excellent episode. Particularly Betty's session with the child psychologist, ably demonstrating how Betty operates on the level of a child without her even realising.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Mad Men
4x05 The Chrysanthemum and the Sword
Excellent episode. Particularly Betty's session with the child psychologist, ably demonstrating how Betty operates on the level of a child without her even realising.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Articles
The Audio Commentariat by David Kalat
(from All Day Entertainment)
If you've ever wondered what level of work goes into an academic audio commentary on a classic film release, this is the article for you. It may surprise you it's more than just sitting down and having a natter.
The big picture: Lightning strike
(from BBC News)
Oo-ooh.
Click to enlarge.
Sky submits late YouView complaint by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
(from All Day Entertainment)
If you've ever wondered what level of work goes into an academic audio commentary on a classic film release, this is the article for you. It may surprise you it's more than just sitting down and having a natter.
The big picture: Lightning strike
(from BBC News)
Oo-ooh.
Click to enlarge.
Sky submits late YouView complaint by Andrew Laughlin
(from Digital Spy)
While we welcome justifiable scrutiny, the timing of this submission is clearly designed to extend the regulatory process in pursuit of commercial self-interest rather than the public interest.Sky more interested in money-grabbing than consumers? No, surely not...
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
TV
Dave's One Night Stand
1x01 Ben Elton
Could sense Ben Elton's unease at being back on stage -- or, possibly, just his dated style -- though Jason Byrne was rather good.
How I Met Your Mother
5x20 Home Wreckers
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Whites
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
1x01 Ben Elton
Could sense Ben Elton's unease at being back on stage -- or, possibly, just his dated style -- though Jason Byrne was rather good.
How I Met Your Mother
5x20 Home Wreckers
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Whites
1x02 Episode 2
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
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